10. THE FESTIVAL

“O you who have believed, do not follow the footsteps of Satan. And whoever follows the footsteps of Satan - indeed, he enjoins immorality and wrongdoing. And if not for the favor of Allah upon you and His mercy, not one of you would have been pure, ever, but Allah purifies whom He wills, and Allah is Hearing and Knowing.” (QURAN 24:21)

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"Captain. Where are we going?" I slid ahead on my seat and asked Hadi who continued to drive and looked up only to shoot me a smirk through the rearview mirror.

"It's a surprise Aasiya." Zahra remarked excitedly instead, who sat beside me on the back seat. I looked between the two siblings before turning with a pout to the person on the passenger seat; who had now turned to give me a smile.

"It is said that the fruit of patience is sweet, Miss Aasiya. Have you heard of that?" I gaped astonished at Sher Khan who had thankfully let go of all the formalities.